"President Pei really does have a domineering way of doing things!"
Su Banxia gritted her teeth, speaking indignantly.
Pei Shaoze stood up, walked over to her, and lightly lifted her chin. "I told you, you're mine."
Hearing this, Su Banxia gritted her teeth again.
Now, because of Pei Shaoze's voluntary admission, the rumors had indeed been minimized. Besides, the child was his anyway, so it was only natural for him to acknowledge it!
With that thought, Su Banxia didn't resist and simply let him do as he pleased.
Seeing her accept it so calmly, Pei Shaoze felt quite satisfied. He settled down beside her and focused on reviewing documents.
At lunchtime, since Pei Shaoze had gone out for business, Su Banxia ate with Fang Shiqing.
In the cafeteria, many people cast strange glances their way, making Fang Shiqing feel very uncomfortable.
"Banxia, does he know the truth?"
Fang Shiqing lowered her voice and asked.
"He's just helping me quell the rumors."
Su Banxia gave a faint smile.
To be honest, she wasn't sure herself—she really didn't know if he knew or not.
Fang Shiqing looked at her expression and understood what she was thinking. She said calmly, "Actually, I think President Pei treats you pretty well. Even without knowing the child is his, he's still willing to take the blame. Banxia, he must be head over heels for you!"
"Come on."
Su Banxia dismissed the idea. "He's nothing but a living demon. It's already good enough that he hasn't driven me to the brink."
"What do you call this? Oh, right! A pair of bickering lovers! That term fits you perfectly."
Fang Shiqing covered her mouth with a light laugh.
Su Banxia cleared her throat and said slowly, "Where's the love? It's just bickering."
"Opposites attract—it proves you two are fated. Tell me honestly, have you really developed feelings for Pei Shaoze?"
Fang Shiqing had sharp eyes; she could see that Su Banxia's heart was wavering.
Hearing this, Su Banxia grew even more uneasy. She turned her face away and said casually, "How could that be? Don't talk nonsense. I only have a superior-subordinate relationship with him."
Fang Shiqing looked her up and down, clearly deeply skeptical of her words.
Su Banxia felt her scalp tingle under Fang Shiqing's gaze. She pretended to check her watch and said calmly, "We've been eating for almost half an hour. Don't you have things to do this afternoon?"
"I have plenty to do this afternoon. It's just that some people might not be too busy, given their big backing."
Fang Shiqing teased.
"Shiqing!"
Su Banxia shot her a reproachful look.
Fang Shiqing laughed openly, but she was genuinely happy. Being able to resolve the rift with Su Banxia and see her so content made her very pleased.
"By the way, why isn't Zhang Shanshan with you today?"
Su Banxia lowered her head, asking as if casually.
She didn't mean to bring it up intentionally, but usually Zhang Shanshan and Fang Shiqing were inseparable, like conjoined twins. Lately, though, the two had been acting a bit off.
Mentioning Zhang Shanshan, Fang Shiqing was also a bit puzzled. She shook her head and said, "Shanshan has been busy lately. I don't know what she's up to—she's often nowhere to be seen."
"So you only think of me when you can't find anyone else to keep you company?"
Su Banxia said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"How could that be? Your place in my heart is unmatched—you can rest assured on that!"
Fang Shiqing patted her chest and declared.
"How come you don't know where she is? I recall the company hasn't assigned any urgent tasks to President Yan recently. As his secretary, she shouldn't be this busy."
Su Banxia spoke calmly.
Fang Shiqing gave a faint smile. "Shanshan might have her own things to do. Her family is actually quite struggling."
"Seems like you know her pretty well, calling her 'Shanshan' so affectionately."
"Banxia..."
"Alright, I just want to remind you to be more cautious. Zhang Shanshan isn't an easy person. That time she saved you might have been with ulterior motives. That woman isn't simple."
Su Banxia said with some seriousness.
Her intuition told her that Zhang Shanshan's busyness might mean something significant. That woman had always been ruthless—how could she be unconditionally kind to others?
"I understand."
Fang Shiqing nodded.
She knew she couldn't mediate between the two of them, and besides, she was actually quite curious about Zhang Shanshan's busyness.
After lunch, back in the office, the more Fang Shiqing thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Eventually, she went to Zhang Shanshan's office.
At that moment, Zhang Shanshan had just returned from outside, and the two bumped into each other at the office door.
"Shiqing?"
Zhang Shanshan was both surprised and delighted.
"Shanshan, you're back."
Fang Shiqing felt an inexplicable tension.
Zhang Shanshan smiled and nodded. "My mom is getting better. I've been visiting her lately."
Hearing this, Fang Shiqing's eyes flickered. So Zhang Shanshan had really been busy with family matters. It seemed she was the one overthinking again.
"What's wrong?"
Zhang Shanshan looked at her, puzzled.
Fang Shiqing shook her head with a faint smile. "I noticed you've been hard to find lately, so I was worried something had happened to you. I came to check on you."
Zhang Shanshan smiled warmly. "How could that be? I've been happy lately because of my parents—they're finally improving."
"That's good."
Fang Shiqing smiled. "If anything happens at home in the future, make sure to tell me right away. I'll worry about you."
"I bet I must have saved the galaxy in my past life to have such a great best friend like you."
Zhang Shanshan said with deep gratitude. "Since meeting you, not only has my mood improved, but even my parents' health has gotten better. You're really my lucky charm."
Fang Shiqing blushed a little at her words. She stepped back awkwardly and then said calmly, "I still have things to do, so I'll head back. Contact me anytime if you need anything."
Zhang Shanshan stood there, watching Fang Shiqing leave until her figure completely disappeared from sight. A trace of coldness gradually crept into her eyes.
After returning from Zhang Shanshan's place, Fang Shiqing immediately sat down and slapped her own face hard.
She felt annoyed at her own suspicion. After all, Zhang Shanshan was her friend—how could she doubt her? But she also knew Su Banxia's character; she wasn't the type to gossip.
The only possibility was that the two had a falling out!
There was a misunderstanding between them.
After thinking for a long time, Fang Shiqing arrived at this neutral conclusion.
Undercurrents surged within the Dingcheng Group, yet those caught in the vortex remained oblivious.
Su Banxia's scandal still lingered in the company, remaining a hot topic of conversation among employees during their breaks.